Circulation for U.S. magazines slipped more than 2 percent in the second half of 2009. A new report also finds that single-copy sales, which are more lucrative for publishers, dropped more than 9 percent.
Among some of the better-known titles that plunged, according to The New York Times:
"W, down 41.7 percent to about 25,000 for an average issue; Newsweek, down 41.3 percent to about 62,000 (Newsweek had decreased the number of copies on sale, noted a spokesman); SmartMoney, down 37 percent to about 26,000; Time, down 34.9 percent to about 90,000; Good Housekeeping, down 30.7 percent to 395,000; and Redbook, down 30.1 percent to 126,000."
With the weak economy still putting a damper on spending and with plenty of free reading available online, overall magazine circulation in the U.S. fell 2.2 percent in the six months ended in December. That's according to industry figures released Monday.
The Audit Bureau of Circulations says paid subscriptions fell 1.1 percent and single-copy sales at newsstands and other retailers was down 9.1 percent. The count is based on 472 magazine titles that had comparable figures.
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